Individual Assignment #1


1. Use your individual WIKI page or create a new one.

2. Define the following literary terms: irony, metaphor, stereotype, allusion, personification, and symbolism. Write the definitions on your WIKI page.

3. Choose four of the literary terms. Find two examples of each from your novel and write them on your WIKI page. Explain how or why your examples fit the category chosen.

4. If you have created a new WIKI page, link this new page to the Holocaust Homework page.

5. Due date: Sunday, May 2



Assignment #1

irony - a technique of indicating, as through character or plotdevelopment, an intention or attitude opposite to thatwhich is actually or ostensibly stated. WOW! That's quite a definition! Can you explain it in your own words?

metaphor - something used, or regarded as being used, to representsomething else; emblem; symbol.

stereotype - a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group:he cowboy and Indian are Amer ????

allusion - a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication

personification - the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimateobjects or abstract notions, esp. as a rhetorical figure.

symbolism - the practice of representing things by symbols, or ofinvesting things with a symbolic meaning or character.



Examples of Stereotypes -
1. " The immoral! The Kommunisten!" That word again. - This is a stereotype, because the Nazis are placing all communists under the category or immoral in this quote.
2. As Liesel would discover, a good thief requires many things.
Stealth. Nerve. Speed. - This section is a stereotype because it says that a good thief requires these things. It is saying that a good thief can only be a person with these 3 attributes. At the same time, these are qualities that a good thief does need to be successful. Rather than being a stereotype, it's the truth!


Examples of Personification -

1. Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain. - This passage is an example of personification because it says that "words" arrived. "Words" are conducting a human action making them a personification
2. Upon her arrival, you could still see the bite marks of snow on her hands and the frosty blood on her fingers. Everything about her was undernourished. Wirelike shins. Coat hanger arms. She did not produce it easily, but when it came, she had a starving smile. - This passage is a personification because her smile is starving. People starve, not smiles, that makes this a personification.
Good example. This book has LOTS of personification. The author does an incredible job of making the words come alive!

Examples of Symbolism -
1. One symbol is Han's accordion. His accordion is a symbol of comfort, because when Hans plays it Liesel settles down and starts to feel better.
2. A second example of symbolism is the colors that are portrayed by Death. This is an example of symbolism because when they are portrayed, they stand for certain things such as death, happiness, and other strong feelings.
You're right; death is a symbol, but what is it symbolizing? Not clearly explained.

Examples of Allusions -
1. The first example of an allusion is Mein Kampf. This is a literary work by Adolf Hitler explaining his struggles and plans for the future. This work is an allusion because in the story there are references made to Mein Kampf and that is what an allusion is.
2. The second example of an allusion is Jesse Owens. There are multiple section where he is refered. An allusion is when someone from another outside that literature work is mentioned and this fits that case.
Good...Rudy has the illusion that someday he can be Jesse Owens.



Individual Assignment #2


1. Define internal conflict and external conflict.
2. Choose a major character.
3. List three examples of internal conflict and three examples of external conflict for that character.
4. Write two paragraphs - one for each kind of conflict - and elaborate on the conflicts. (What happens in the story to create the conflicts, where and when do the conflicts occur, do the conflicts get resolved, if so, how? etc.)
5. Choose a minor character.
6. Repeat steps #3 and #4 for the minor character.
7. Due date: Wednesday, May 5
8. Put assignment on your individual WIKI page. Label it Assignment #2.

Assignment #2



Internal Conflict -


in literature and drama, a struggle which takes place in the protagonist's mind and through which the character reaches a new understanding or dynamic change
Is the definition in your own words?

External Conflict - in literature, a struggle between the protagonistand another character against nature or someoutside force



Liesel Meminger

Internal Conflicts-
1. Liesel knows that she needs to keep the secret of the Jew, Max otherwise she will be taken away. This situation eats her up and causes stress within her.
2. Liesel is very shy, she spends days building up the courage to talk to Max. This is a conflict that does not last very long but at first Liesel is scared and afraid to even say one word.
3. Liesel has constant nightmares, she fights the uncanny death of her brother as the story unfolds in her head every night.

External Conflicts-
1. Liesel struggles with her urge to steal books. Certain books are considered illegal and Liesel cannot stop stealing them which is also illegal.
2. Liesel loves her family. She wants to write to her mother but she realizes she can't because she is in a concentration camp.
3. Liesel likes Rudy Steiner, but she doesn't passionately love him. Along the way Rudy wants to kiss her but she fights his urges,

For internal conflicts the secret about Max came into play when he entered Liesel's house one night. Her struggle to keep a secret came forth when Hans told her the consequences of telling. That's when it really hit her what could happen. Liesel's shyness towards Max also begins when Max comes to the door that night. Liesel is afraid to even come into contact with him, until she builds up the courage to ask him a question about Mein Kampf. That's when this conflict is resolved. Liesel's nightmares occur every night. They are a constant conflict that have not gone away up to the point where I am in the book. Both Liesel and Max have nightmares occur to them which makes is easier for Liesel because she knows there is someone who truly understands.

For external conflicts...Liesel loves to read, she will do anythings to get her hands on a good book. Even steal from a Nazi burning. Throughout the story Liesel struggles with her love for books. In one case Liesel even steals books from the mayors wife. Her passion for books is never truly resolved, as a passion is not something you can get rid of. One things that also bothers Liesel is her profound love for her lost family. Her nightmares show this, that they are always on her mind. Liesel really wants to write a letter to her mother but she realizes that her mother has been put into a concentration camp and will most likely face death. On
Liesel's and Rudy's love, the want for a kiss exists throughout the whole story. There is always a secret love between the two and they both keep each other sane. To where I am in the story
Liesel and Rudy have not kissed yet.
Was Liesl's mother in a concentration camp, or did she make sure Liesl was safe with the foster family because she knew she needed to find refuge herself?
Max Vandenburg

Internal Conflicts -
1. Max had to leave his family. He loves them and he has no clue as to what has become of him
2. Max is comforted by Liesel, she offers a symbol of hope. Max struggle with a way to repay her.
3. For the first part of our knowing him, Max is in a dark room for close to 2 years, throughout this time, Max struggles with his sanity.

External Conflicts -
1. Max faces the fear of being discovered everyday -in the capital of Nazism. He has to hide and keep his existence a secret.
2. Everyday, Max in hiding must live in the basement. It is dark, claustrophobic, and cold. He must also go to the bathroom in an old paint can.
3. Max also feels guilt for putting the Hubermans through these trials.
Internal or External? Or both?

For internal conflicts...Max feels sorry for leaving his family, he doesn't know what happened to them at all. For this he feels guilty and selfish and he struggles with this throughout the story, this conflict is created when Max leaves his family. Max also plays a comforting figure to Liesel as does Liesel to him. They understand each other and help eachother each day. To show he is thankful, Max creates a book for Liesel called the Standover man, he puts his feelings and thoughts out onto the pages. He creates this book after Liesel helps and comforts him. For Max sitting in the dark room for 2 years, who's sanity wouldn't be tested. Never sleeping, I don't blame him. This conflict begins when Max decides to go live with the Hubermans.

For external conflicts....Max is in one of the most Nazi infested cities is the whole of Germany. The German Secret Police could carry out a search at any time. If Max were to be discovered the family would most likely of been killed. At the point were I am at, there is no answer to this conflict. I believe the only answer would be to wait until the war had ended. For living in the basement, there is no way around it, unless Max wants to be discovered. One way to resolve the conflict slightly is when Max was allowed to sleep upstairs in the warm. This conflict began as he entered the Huberman household. For feeling guilty for putting the Hubermans through the trial, Max does genuinely feel guilty. He feels selfish and at the same time very grateful for people like the Hubermans. This conflict also began when he entered the Huberman household. This conflict can also not be settled until the end of the story.

Good answers, Hayden. I bet if you reread your answers, you would find the errors in punctuation, run-ons, spelling, etc. Always proof your work!

Individual Assignment #3

1. Research how young people were indoctrinated into Nazism. What was the purpose of such organizations?
2. How did these organizations fit into Hitler's plan for a perfect world?
3. Write your answers in paragraph form.
4. Due date: Friday, May 7
5. Put assignment on your individual WIKI page. Label it Assignment #3.


Young people were introduces into Nazism through the Hitler Youth and the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM). These organizations acclimated Aryan youth in Germany to Nazi Party ideas and trained them, creating child model. These organizations made Nazi youth physically fit and they brainwashed them into believing that what Hitler was doing was right. They were taught lessons on ideals and military tactics to eventually have them fight when they ran out of troops. If the Hitler Youth did not do what they were ordered they would be punished, physically. The Hitler Youth made every child alike and similar and this helped fit into Hitlers image of a perfect world.
And without young people, the movement could not continue. They were brainwashed and knew no other way of life.

Good explanation!


Individual Assignment #4

1. Define the terms 'bandwagon' and 'scapegoat'. How do those two terms relate to your novel? Explain.
2. Due Date: Tuesday, May 11
3. Put assignment on your individual WIKI page. Label it Assignment #4.

bandwagon : a popular party, faction, or cause that attracts growing support —often used in such phrases as jump on the bandwagon


scapegoat : one that bears the blame for others

The term bandwagon relates to this novel because the German Aryan people jumped on Adolf Hitler's bandwagon. Their society was in the dumps, so when a figure came forth that brought justice and light to them they all followed that figure fervently. Hitler was the leader of the bandwagon and the wagon was the Nazi Party.
Excellent!

The term scapegoat relates to our novel because the Nazi's used the Jews as their scapegoat. The Jews were much higher in society and brought in more money than the average person so Hitler, coming from poor roots, turned the tables on the Jews. He put the blame on them, using them as a scapegoat. He called them selfish and made up all sorts of propaganda that criticized them and their actions. The Jews were Germany's scapegoat and Hitler and his people were the ones putting the blame on them.
Great answer!